NOAA 2004-054 |
NOAA
News Releases 2004 NOAA Home Page NOAA Public Affairs |
The Commerce Department today announced the appointment of 17 members to the eight regional fishery management councils. The appointments of two members to obligatory seats on the South Atlantic and Pacific Councils will be made by August 11. The councils, established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, prepare fishery management plans for marine fish stocks in their respective geographical areas of responsibility. The management plans are submitted for review by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service and approved by the secretary. “I am pleased to present this group of highly qualified people who will undoubtedly be strong and effective stewards of our living oceans,” said Bill Hogarth, director of NOAA Fisheries. “I look forward to working with them to continue our progress, and I have confidence in the abilities of this group to meet our challenges.” “I also want to thank the outgoing council members,” Hogarth added. “Due to their dedication and commitment, we have rebuilt four fish stocks this year and taken 10 more off the overfished list as they continue rebuilding. We have made great progress over the past several years, and we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have served as council members.” Council members represent diverse interests, including commercial and recreational fisheries as well as environmental, academic and other interests from each geographic area. Terms of the council members expire annually on August 10 for approximately one-third of the 72 obligatory and at-large members appointed to the eight regional councils. On behalf of the secretary, the director of NOAA Fisheries solicits nominations from the governors of fishing states and oversees the annual appointments process. Governors must submit completed gubernatorial nominations by March 15, and the secretary of commerce announces the selections by approximately June 27. New members take their seats on August 11. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the secretary selects from the list of gubernatorial nominees a council member for each appointed obligatory and at-large seat that has become open due to an expiring term, a resignation, or other reason. Obligatory seats are state-specific, while at-large seats are regional in scope. Last
year’s agency report on council membership is available on the
Internet at: The new council members identified below will begin service on August 11, 2004, their terms will expire on August 10, 2007. (Asterisks indicate incumbent council members.) New
England Council Obligatory seat
At-large seats
Mid-Atlantic
Council Obligatory seat
At-large seats
South
Atlantic Council Obligatory seat
Caribbean
Council At-large seat
Gulf
Council Obligatory seats
At-large seat
Pacific
Council At-large seat
North
Pacific Obligatory seats
Western
Pacific Council At-large seats
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation’s living marine resources, and the habitat on which they depend, through scientific research, management and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries provides effective stewardship of these resources for the benefit of the nation, supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, while helping to provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational opportunities for the American public. To learn more about NOAA Fisheries, please visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov. The Commerce
Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety
through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related
events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s
coastal and marine resources. To learn more about NOAA, please visit:
http://www.noaa.gov.
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